FAIRHOPE — A benefit for 5-year-old Carter Beauchene will be held Sunday, May 31 at Oak Hollow Farms in Fairhope.

“He is one special little boy,” said Kenny Pierce, pastor of The Dwelling Place, who is sponsoring the event, along with 3 Circle Church, The Original Oyster House and Ecumenical Ministries.

Carter’s story began about three months ago, Pierce said, when members of the church went to the home of Matthew and Amanda Beauchene in Robertsdale to help the family, who is expecting their fourth child, build an addition on their home.

While they were there, Pierce said, Carter fell while he was out playing in the yard.

“They were afraid he had a concussion,” Pierce said, “so they rushed him to the hospital.”

What they found was much more daunting for the Beauchene family. Carter had a brain tumor, which was successfully removed at USA Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Mobile.

But the cancer had spread and Carter must undergo extensive radiation and chemotherapy treatments. To add to that, Pierce said, since Amanda Beauchene is pregnant, she is unable to go with Carter for the treatments, so Matthew Beauchene had to quit his job in order to care for Carter.

“We’re trying to help out with Carter’s expenses, but we’re also trying to help with day to day expenses so the family can survive,” Pierce said.

The benefit will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday and will include a fish fry dinner, a draw down and silent auction.

Fish plates are available at a cost of $8 for those 5 and over. Plates are free for children 5 and under. Draw down tickets are available at a cost of $50 for a chance to win a top prize of $2,500, along with other prizes, Pierce said. A fish plate is included with the draw down ticket.

Meanwhile the church is continuing to help the family prepare for the new arrival and, Pierce said, Carter is right in the middle of their preparations.

“Despite the heat and the fact that he is exhausted from his treatments, he still wants to get out and help us,” Pierce said. “It hasn’t slowed him down one bit.”

For more information contact Pierce at The Dwelling Place, 251-517-9028; or you can like the Prayers for Carter page on Facebook.